Previous Republican and Democratic debates held in Myrtle Beach prior to the 2008 election helped bring millions in direct spending to the area, in an otherwise calm month for the resort town.

On the heels of the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary Debate heading back to Myrtle Beach, several local businesses are planning to roll out the red carpet to help drive cash into their registers.

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce says businesses can apply to have their exclusive debate weekend deals advertised on their website. All businesses, members and non-members are welcomed.

"It's a great opportunity for any area business to advertise for free to Grand Strand visitors this January," Nora Hembree, spokeswoman for the MBACC, said.

Both member and non-member businesses have the opportunity to submit their deals to the Chamber up until January 9.

While local businesses are hoping the debates will be a major winter cash cow, hotels are hoping the debates put more heads in their beds.

"We're noticing occupancy is rising," Nancy Lee, of Hampton Inn and Suites, said when asked about bookings for debate weekend. "Right now we're at about 60 percent, but we expect to see that go higher."

Taylor Damonte, of Coastal Carolina University, says it's a possibility too. He points out the scheduling of the debate falls on the same weekend as the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday - a weekend that traditionally sees a 3-day spike in tourism.

Damonte says early predictions reveal hotel occupancy along the Grand Strand could sit at anywhere between 37 and 45 percent - and that's only counting holiday travelers. He says while no concrete predictions have been released, it's likely visitors in town for the debate will make that number go up.

And the benefits of luring a nationally televised presidential primary debate back to Myrtle Beach don't stop when the candidates leave town.

"With this, we see some of the largest benefits with the national media outlets in town," Hembree said. "The ability to spread the Myrtle Beach message, our name and personality to all of those outlets across the country. With the last go-around, we had and saw a significant impact. With increased advertising, the Myrtle Beach name is really spreading across the country."

A 12-year-old boy was taken to the hospital after his leg was apparently sucked into the suction line of a lazy river at a North Myrtle Beach resort, and he was held underwater for about 10 minutes, according to witnesses.

A 12-year-old boy was taken to the hospital after his leg was apparently sucked into the suction line of a lazy river at a North Myrtle Beach resort, and he was held underwater for about 10 minutes, according to witnesses.

Brad Dean reflects on the impact he's had as the president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. (Source: WMBF News)

Brad Dean reflects on the impact he's had as the president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. (Source: WMBF News)

After over twenty years of leadership at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Brad Dean is headed south to Puerto Rico, to help revive the tourism industry of the island devastated by Hurricane Maria last year. On Monday, WMBF News sat down with Dean to find out what accomplishments he’s most proud of, and what he thinks about projects he leaves unfinished.

After over twenty years of leadership at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Brad Dean is headed south to Puerto Rico, to help revive the tourism industry of the island devastated by Hurricane Maria last year. On Monday, WMBF News sat down with Dean to find out what accomplishments he’s most proud of, and what he thinks about projects he leaves unfinished.

Conway parents were arrested for unlawful neglect of a child after their baby was allegedly thrown from his car seat, according to a police report from Horry County Police. 20-year-old Juliana Biggerstaff and 22-year-old Jacob Lowman were arrested on Thursday after a complainant called police. Officers responded to a residence on Woodwinds Drive in Conway on March 14. Upon arrival, officers located a baby boy with a “visible injury to the top of his h...

Conway parents were arrested for unlawful neglect of a child after their baby was allegedly thrown from his car seat, according to a police report from Horry County Police. 20-year-old Juliana Biggerstaff and 22-year-old Jacob Lowman were arrested on Thursday after a complainant called police. Officers responded to a residence on Woodwinds Drive in Conway on March 14. Upon arrival, officers located a baby boy with a “visible injury to the top of his h...

Nikolas Cruz appears in court for a hearing in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on Monday, Feb. 19. Authorities said Cruz’s brother was arrested for trespassing at the same school on Monday, March 19. (Source: Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, Pool)

Nikolas Cruz appears in court for a hearing in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on Monday, Feb. 19. Authorities said Cruz’s brother was arrested for trespassing at the same school on Monday, March 19. (Source: Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, Pool)

Authorities say the brother of the teen charged with killing 17 people at a Florida school has been arrested for trespassing at the same school.